Niall Brookwell did not have long to dwell on the familiar heartbreak which hundreds of aspiring young footballers face every summer. Having spent almost a decade at Liverpool, the highly-rated teenager was released at the end of his scholarship deal in 2020.
For many, it is a setback which marks the beginning of the end of their dream to become a professional footballer. The midst of the Covid-19 pandemic and the financial uncertainty outside of the Premier League would have only heightened these fears.
Brookwell had no need to worry however, with an offer from Newcastle United immediately removing any concerns over his next step. The academy prospect is now in his third season in black-and-white, and he has no doubts he made the right decision after moving on from Merseyside.
